Hunting with dogs - Hunting Act 2004

Illegal trap shatters cat’s leg

A three-year-old cat has had a hind leg broken in several places by a gin trap, the RSPCA says.Jesse dragged himself to his Littlemore, Oxford home with the metal device hanging to his leg.

The RSPCA said that it was illegal to set a gin trap which causes unnecessary suffering to an animal.

On conviction, it said the penalty is a fine of up to £20,000 or six months in prison or both. It has appealed for information.

Following the 21 November incident, Jesse was taken to the Blue Cross Animal Hospital in Victoria, London where vets are trying to determine whether his leg can be saved.

RSPCA inspector Doug Davidson said: “We think this trap may have been set in scrubland behind the houses in Giles Road as Jesse could not have dragged himself far with the trap attached.

“People have to realise that by setting a gin trap they are breaking the law and could be causing animals like this cat to suffer a great deal of pain and distress.”

The RSPCA said that the use of gin traps has been illegal in the UK since 1958, but some are still being used to catch animals such as rabbits and foxes.

Source: BBC News